Political Nataka is Constant in Karnataka, Only Players Change

But the real test for septuagenarian B S Yeddyurappa begins now. His first tenure as CM lasted for just seven days in 2007. The 20-20 match with JD(S) leader Kumaraswamy had a bitter fallout for the BJP. Kumaraswamy after serving his first 20 months in office pulled the rug on BSY within days of handing over reins of power to the BJP.

Bengaluru: Political nataka in Karnataka has been a regular feature for the past few decades. The main characters at different times play many parts — making and breaking alliances at regular intervals to suit their own immediate interests.

After a nightlong hearing on the legality of his swearing in as the Chief Minister, the Supreme Court has allowed B S Yeddyurappa to take oath as CM subject to its final order. He will take oath in a hurriedly arranged, low key function at the Raj Bhawan in Bengaluru.

But the real test for the septuagenarian leader begins now. His first tenure as CM lasted for just seven days in 2007. The 20-20 match with JD(S) leader Kumaraswamy had a bitter fallout for the BJP. Kumaraswamy after serving his first 20 months in office pulled the rug on BSY within days of handing over reins of power to the BJP.

Crying foul and playing martyr card, the Lingayat leader led the BJP to victory in 2008. He became the CM with the help of five independent MLAs and it was the most unstable government in the history of Karnataka. The Rs 35,000 crore mining scam of Bellary Reddy brothers did him in and he was forced to quit in July 2011. That government lasted for 39 months.

A wounded Yeddyurappa quit the BJP to form his own Karnataka Janatha Party (KJP) and fought the 2013 Assembly polls under its banner. His party was decimated and he managed to win just 6 seats. However, by dividing Lingayat votes in Mumbai-Karnataka BSY inflicted severe damage to the BJP, and successfully displayed his political might to the party. As a result, ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, he and his associates were re-inducted and fielded by the BJP in 2014 general elections.

Though not inducted into the Union council, he was made the state BJP chief in April 2016 and a few months later declared as the CM face. In the recent election, the BJP stopped at 104 seats falling more than half a dozen seats short of a clear majority.

Despite a high decibel campaign, the BJP has not been able to reach the halfway mark. It still needs eight more MLAs just to reach the magic figure. The Congress has won 78 seats, the JDS 38 and the Independents two seats. The Congress, the JD(S) and the Independents have expressed support to the Kumaraswamy led coalition and a letter of support signed by 113 MLAs has been submitted to the governor.